Monrovia's Birthday Party Saturday

This Saturday, May 18, Monrovia's 127th birthday party. Details ( http://goo.gl/89YFO ). Also, if you want to watch the Fountain to the Falls racers start, they'll be taking off from the fountain in Library Park at 7 a.m. sharp.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Rubik's Cube Club

I've heard of a lot of different types of clubs on school campuses, but Monrovia High has one I've never encountered: a Rubik's Cube Club (scroll down a ways): http://goo.gl/IFujM

- Brad Haugaard

Keychain Monrovia Library Card

My library card expired and I got a new one today. It comes with a keychain card as well. It has a picture of "Carmegie Library, 1908-1956."

Monrovia Condo Construction Begins | Arts Association Fundraiser

~ Work has begun on 18-unit condo a block east of Myrtle on Olive. http://goo.gl/pIWnQ

~ Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will hold its 13th annual fundraiser - "Acknowledge the Arts" on Friday June 21. http://goo.gl/ovJsR

- Brad Haugaard

Firey Hot | Old Town Leader Steps Down

~ National Weather Service warning for the Monrovia area: Hot and dry; prime fire weather; watch out! ( http://goo.gl/l3eit ). Also, it got up to 100 degrees at 3:05 p.m. today. http://goo.gl/fM7Kt

~ After more than 10 years, Brian Whelan steps down as chairman of the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board. http://goo.gl/80s56

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Watch for the Prepaid Money Card Scam; Kicking Cars; Walking in Burned Area; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 9-12. - Brad Haugaard]

 

Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.  

 

Telephone Scam Targeting the Elderly

The Monrovia Police Department has recently received several calls from elderly Monrovia citizens reporting the following telephone scam: 

 

The elderly victim receives a call stating they owe money for an outstanding debt.  The suspect soon states if they don't pay this debt, a warrant could be issued for their arrest, their bank account will be put on hold, and there is a possibility they will lose their house.  The suspect then tells the victim if they want to resolve the matter, they need to purchase a Greendot prepaid money card with a certain amount, usually not more than $500.00.  Once the victim obtains the card, they are to call back and give the card number so it can be verified.  The suspect then transfers the money from the victim's card to another card and the money is gone.  If the victim falls for the scam, the suspect sometimes calls back and tries to solicit additional money from the victim. 

 

Please be aware of this scam and let others know this is going on so we can prevent this crime.  Please inform your loved ones, especially the elderly, as they are the targets of this particular scam.  Let them know to never give out personal information to anyone over the phone.  A legitimate company would not operate by asking for personal information over the phone; they would have your information already. 

 

Vandalism / Drunk in Public – Suspect Arrested

May 11 at 2:05 a.m., police responded to the report of a disturbing female subject at a business in the 1800 block of Walker that was refusing to leave.  Officers arrived and located the subject.  The female had been drinking and was combative.  She had kicked a male acquaintance's vehicle, causing a dent in the vehicle.  She was determined to be intoxicated and a danger to herself and others; she was arrested for being drunk in public. 

 

Hiker Enters Closed Burn Area – Receives Civil Citation

May 11 at 11:30 a.m., a hiker was observed entering the closed burn area at Highland Place by a park ranger.  Signs are posted prohibiting hikers from entering the area for their own safety.  When the park ranger warned the hiker and told him not to enter the area, the hiker ignored him and told the ranger to call the police, and he said he was going to keep walking.  The police department was called and officers responded to the location.  The suspect stopped for the officers; he was issued a civil Administrative Citation for entering the restricted burn area.

 

Commercial Burglary – Suspect Arrested

May 11 at 11:39 a.m., a suspect entered a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain Avenue, selected an automatic utility pump and put it in a cart.  The suspect walked around the store with the cart for a while and then attempted to exit the store without paying for the merchandise.  He was followed out of the store by loss prevention.  When contacted, the suspect attempted to push the loss prevention officer and a struggle ensued.  He was eventually taken into custody by loss prevention.  Officers responded to the location and the suspect was arrested.

Miyachi Unitek Expands in Monrovia | Little League Moms

~ Miyachi Unitek Corporation, a manufacturer of welding equipment and systems, is expanding its Monrovia national headquarters and manufacturing facility with the acquisition of the South Myrtle Business Center from Burbank, CA-based Shamrock Holdings, Inc. Miyachi Unitek has purchased two currently leased buildings and an additional building on the site, expanding from 70,000 to 85,000 square feet of space. The company also acquired a 230-car parking lot. http://goo.gl/6ZllS

~ LA Times features Monrovia Little League moms for Mothers Day. http://goo.gl/4W8gK

- Brad Haugaard

Civiltec to Manage Monrovia's Station Square Project | Number 2 in Baseball

~ Civiltec will design and manage construction of Monrovia's Gold Line Station Square project. http://goo.gl/x9Uwv

~ Monrovia finishes second in baseball league. http://goo.gl/9zaVk

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Mayor's Green-Car Buying Experience Will Be on Local Cable

According to Star-News Columnist Steve Scauzillo, Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz' green car-buying experience "will be the subject of a documentary on Monrovia cable access TV." http://goo.gl/iNq8V

- Brad Haugaard

Isla Vista Night at First Presbyterian Church | Monrovia High Dress Code | Pancakes Tomorrow!

~ A night of music and worship at First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia, with "Isla Vista Worship" from Isla Vista Church, Isla Vista, California, and Worship Leader Mac Montgomery.

~ Ever wonder what Monrovia High's dress code was 50 years ago? Yeah, me neather, but here it is: "Skirts could not be any higher than mid-thigh and shirts always had to be tucked in." And, a humorous word for today's boys: "We know why your pants have been sagging so much. We realize it is not your fault, it is the belt manufacturers. So, if you have a defective belt, come to my office and I will give you, free of charge, a brand new set of suspenders to keep your pants up. Wow, what a fashion statement you will make." http://goo.gl/AFzQI

~ Monrovia firefighter's pancake breakfast tomorrow (Saturday) from 7-11 a.m. at the Lemon Ave. station. http://goo.gl/xsSRo

- Brad Haugaard

New Horizons Exhibit at Segil Fine Art

Lone Cypress, Monterey - by Scott Dienhart

A new exhibition, "Chasing New Horizons," featuring oil paintings by Scott Dienhart, May 11 through June 8 at Segil Fine Art, 110 West Lime.

- Brad Haugaard

Home Depot to Add a Cafe In Front

The city has approved a request to add a permanent cafe kiosk in front of Home Depot.  http://goo.gl/Rjl6j

- Brad Haugaard

Lunch at Mayan Bar and Grill

The Mayan Bar and Grill, in the Aztec Hotel, is not open to the public yet, but I got to have a special preview lunch there today. I had chicken wings with mole and chipotle sauce for appetizer, pork marinated in achiolte and Carne de Res (fajitas). Portions were small since this was for tasting. Restaurant should be open mid-June to early July. Very good. I particularly liked the pork, shown here. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Congresswoman Speech on Mental Health Awareness

Video: Talk for National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day by Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, who represents Monrovia, for Members of Congress and their staff. http://goo.gl/X2MHQ

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia-Made Drone: Keeping an Eye on the Greater Sage Grouse

U.S. Geological Survey uses Raven drone, made by Monrovia's AeroVironment, to survey the greater sage grouse. http://goo.gl/pmfbg

- Brad Haugaard